Research Associate​/Senior Research Associate - Consumer Energy Resources & Energy Modelling

The Opportunity

The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE) offers two positions at the level of Research Associate (Level A) and Senior Research Associate (Level B). These roles are part of a multidisciplinary team of academics, post‑doctoral researchers and postgraduate research students that collaborate closely with industry partners and with researchers across UNSW faculties via the Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets (CEEM).

CEEM conducts interdisciplinary research to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the Australian National Electricity Market and other electricity industries worldwide.

Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia (full‑time, fixed‑term contract until 28 March 2028, with possible extension)

• Handling and analysing large real‑world datasets from consumer energy resources (CER) such as rooftop PV, batteries and electric vehicles (EVs).
• Querying and manipulating datasets from different databases and platforms (AWS, SQL, Azure).
• Developing open‑source tools and algorithms in Python, R, Matlab or Excel for energy systems data analysis and modelling.
• Creating algorithms to analyse CER compliance and curtailment according to relevant Australian standards (AS .2, CSIP‑AUS, IEEE) and under the Emergency Backstop Mechanism (EBM).
• Developing support tools for distribution network operators to manage and plan CER operations.
• Creating data visualisations to illustrate the value of CER and explore challenges of increasing CER penetration in distribution networks and at the system level.
• Thermal modelling of residential HVAC and water heating energy consumption (e.g., Energy Plus/ TRNSYS).
• Identifying minimum data requirements for deploying and operating CER to benefit consumers and the grid.
• Modelling factors that affect residential and commercial CER uptake.

• National Electricity Market (NEM) level capacity expansion and production cost modelling.
• Monitoring NEM market power and participant behaviour.
• Developing and maintaining open‑source Python‑based energy system and market modelling and analysis software.
• Engaging with industry partners through meetings, presentations and industry reports.

• Salary:
  Level A – AUD $113,911 to 121,838 per annum + 17% superannuation;
  Level B – AUD $127,947 to 150,830 per annum + 17% superannuation.
• Employment type:
  
  Full time.
• Contract length:
  Fixed‑term until 28 March 2028 (extension may be available).
• Location:
  
  Kensington, Sydney, Australia.

• PhD or equivalent research experience in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Experience in technical and economic modelling of renewable generation or distributed energy resources, including energy storage, demand‑side participation and their integration into electricity industry operation or planning.
• Expertise in analysing and modelling large energy‑related data sets, including statistical analysis and the use of artificial intelligence such as pattern recognition and machine learning.
• Knowledge of the operation and functionalities of different consumer energy resources and their impact on the grid.
• Experience in energy systems, market, capacity expansion, or production cost modelling.
• Experience in NEM‑related analysis or modelling.
• Experience in thermal building modelling.
• Interest or experience in developing open‑source modelling tools for wider stakeholder use.
• Experience interacting with the profession and industry, especially electricity networks, market institutions and distributed energy businesses in Australia.
• Proactive commitment to staying current with disciplinary knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct high‑quality independent academic research with limited supervision.
• Track record of publications and conference presentations relevant to the role.
• Team‑work and collaboration across disciplines.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Alignment with UNSW’s aims, objectives and values, and awareness of…